ahs-admin's blog

Empathy is the ability to identify with another person’s feelings. The ability to see and feel things as others see and feel them is central to competent parenting and successful social relationships in all stages of life.

Lovelace Labor of Love is proud to support Roots of Empathy, a curriculum for elementary school children that teaches empathy, social and emotional skills, and reduces aggression.

“Knowing you are not alone is the most important,” shares Darrell Yazza. “There are other people who have been through it and they’re doing well.” Once a month, Darrell brings the perspective only a stroke survivor would understand to stroke patients at Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital.

Concern continues to build as The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a recent report that more than 300 people in the United States have contracted the Zika virus, 31 of those being pregnant women. The majority of cases are travel-associated cases with only locally acquired cases in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reports one case of a 46-year-old Bernalillo County man who contracted Zika while traveling in Central America.

Spring brings new life around each corner and we enjoy seeing growing bellies as moms visit our birthing centers. This spring, we are happy to take time to salute all mothers and mother figures for the widely celebrated Mother’s Day holiday. At Labor of Love, we recognize the extensive array of emotions this day can bring. Mother’s Day is celebrated in more than 40 countries worldwide. Although the season or time of year may vary for this celebration, love for mother is often shown with flowers, cards, hugs, kisses or a special meal made by someone other than mom.

Dr. William Cole, 77, has played bass clarinet throughout his life since high school. The retired family medicine physician joined a local band in Albuquerque, playing more regularly over the last two years than he was able to during his 34-year career practicing medicine in Juneau, AK. It was just one of the perks of retiring to New Mexico five years ago – the biggest perk being close to his daughter and three grandchildren. Retirement seemed to be treating him well in the warmth of an unseasonably mild winter, until one Thursday morning in February.

“I told my husband, ‘I just don’t feel right,’” Tonnie Lucero, 62 recalls. “I was tired, sleepy, had gained weight and felt bloated. I didn’t know why.” Tonnie picked up the phone and scheduled an appointment with her primary care physician for a complete physical. Blood work revealed she was anemic, which would explain why she was fatigued.

Lovelace robotic surgeon Dr. Wayne Kuang joins us on the blog today to discuss a topic that affects men across the globe, yet many do not feel comfortable discussing: erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

March is National Nutrition Month and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages us all to consider how we nourish ourselves and our families through food choices, not only this month, but as a lifelong endeavor for better nutrition and health. It is an opportunity to embrace food as nutrition and fuel for our everyday lives. Lovelace dietitian and nutritionist, Teresa Anderson, RDN, LD CDE, explains the focus of this year’s campaign. “Food is an important part of our traditions and social experiences,” she says.

There’s a list of reasons many of us give as to why we don’t need a colonoscopy. I can’t take time off work. I heard the preparation is terrible. I don’t have any symptoms. That sounds embarrassing. Yet, the list of reasons why we do need one make all of those excuses seem trivial. Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women in the United States. Colon cancer may not present with any symptoms.